July in Arizona: lawns are crisp, sprinklers are working overtime, and cooler days feel far off. Want a flawless fall yard without the stress? Now’s the time.
Crown & Blade Turf—founded by local dads Ben Pijawka, Ben Hudson, and Austin Unger—is redefining synthetic lawns with facts over flash.
“People hear a lot of misinformation,” says Hudson. “We spend time resetting expectations. Turf can be amazing—if you know what to expect.”
Here, they break down common myths.
Myth 1: Turf is cooler than grass
“It’s not,” says Pijawka. “Grass breathes as it holds moisture, but turf can still get hot.”
However, everything is hot in the summer—pavers, pool decks, etc.
“You’re not playing outside at 115 degrees anyway,” says Hudson. “However, for ten months of the year, turf is fantastic. It looks great, holds up beautifully, and requires minimal effort.”
“There’s a misconception that premium turf means it stays cool,” adds Unger. “But like anything, if it's in direct sun, it’s going to warm up like anything else.”
Myth 2: ‘Cooling tech’ solves the heat problem
Many turf systems include infill that holds moisture or blades designed to reflect heat—but the results are modest and temporary.
“These can cool turf briefly, especially right after watering—but they’re no substitute for shade or smart design,” says Hudson.
“It’s not about eliminating heat,” says Pijawka. “It’s about making turf comfortable most of the year.”
Myth 3: Turf is maintenance-free
“We hear it often: ‘We just want something we never have to think about,’” says Unger. “And turf makes life easier—but it’s not completely hands-off.”
Turf cuts out mowing and daily watering but still needs occasional brushing, rinsing in pet areas, and infill touch-ups.
“It’s like a luxury finish—low-effort, not zero-effort,” says Hudson.
Myth 4: Price per square foot is the best way to compare turf companies
“It reduces a highly customized product to a dollar amount,” says Pijawka. “We are often asked, ‘What’s your cost per square foot?’ But that’s like asking a designer what a kitchen costs without knowing the layout, the finishes, or how it’s being used.”
Cutting corners on prep, drainage, or infill can lead to big problems later—odor, shifting, even full ripouts.
“The issues might not show up immediately,” says Unger. “But they will. We see it all the time—cheap installs that fail within two years.”
So Why Turf?
Turf is a long-term lifestyle upgrade. For high-end homeowners who value year-round beauty with less upkeep, synthetic grass offers a smart, sustainable solution.
According to the EPA, a third of household water goes to outdoor use—mostly for lawns. Turf needs no irrigation, saving up to 55,000 gallons a year.
It’s also low-maintenance: no mowing, no fertilizing, no brown spots. With UV resistance and built-in drainage, modern turf stays lush year-round.
Professionally installed turf lasts 15–20 years and is now used in high-end landscapes for more than lawns—adding clean lines, design flow, and function around pools, pavers, rooftops, and more.
“Turf gives our clients control,” says Hudson. “They want their yard to look great without being tied to a maintenance crew or irrigation schedule.”
What Turf Delivers—When Done Right
“Turf today is being treated like a material—not just a grass substitute,” says Unger. “It’s being used in places where real grass can’t thrive—or where design flexibility matters most.”
Turf installs range from custom backyard putting greens and pet play zones to poolside decks, rooftop terraces, and between pavers to soften hardscapes—all adding style, function, and year-round ease.
“We’re using turf to create structure, contrast, and usability,” says Hudson.
Form, Function, and Fast Turnaround
Crown & Blade designs with purpose, tailoring each install to how the space is used. “Is it for pets? Entertaining? Full sun?” says Pijawka. “That guides everything—from turf type to infill to base.”
And unlike others, they don’t make clients wait months to see results.
“Once we finalize the design, we’re typically done in two weeks,” Hudson says. “It’s fast, clean, and built to last.”
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